A Jurassic fossil offers clues about when mammals learned to chew

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Fill in the blank (dropdown)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete sentence and notice the subject, verb form, time reference and word order before answering.

1. Question 1 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Scientists ___ the fossil with CT scans later.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. study
   2. studied
   3. studying
   4. studies
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   studied

   The past simple describes a completed action in the article.

2. Question 2 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The fossil was difficult ___ clearly against the rock.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. see
   2. to see
   3. seeing
   4. saw
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to see

   The adjective pattern is “difficult to see.”

3. Question 3 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The bones ___ in a thick slab of shale.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. preserve
   2. preserved
   3. were preserved
   4. preserving
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   were preserved

   The passive past form describes what happened to the bones.

4. Question 4 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The evidence may ___ when chewing developed.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. helps
   2. helped
   3. help
   4. helping
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   help

   After “may,” use the base form of the verb.

5. Question 5 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Because early fossils are rare, this specimen ___ an important look at evolution.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. offer
   2. offers
   3. offered
   4. offering
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   offers

   The singular subject “specimen” takes “offers” in the present simple.

What to review next

After checking an answer, explain the rule in your own words and write a new sentence using the same pattern. Revisit any rules you could not explain.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.